The Brighter Side of Early Menopause

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Menopause is not a disease, so starting menopause earlier is not necessarily a bad thing. Many women can feel a sense of loss, because menopause is a reminder of the aging process. It can also be difficult because menopause ends a woman's reproductive abilities, and this may happen before a woman was ready for it. However, many women find menopause to be liberating and enjoy this new phase in their life.

Early Menopause: Causes

Early menopause can be brought on by a number of factors. For example, some women are genetically predisposed to early menopause. Chances are if your mom, grandmothers, and other female relatives experienced it, you are also likely to experience early menopause.

Some surgical procedures, such as the removal of your ovaries, may also bring early menopause. Hysterectomies are one of the most common surgeries performed on women, and they are not always necessary, so it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor in-depth about whether or not a hysterectomy is right for you.

However, there are some medical conditions that make the removal of the ovaries, and therefore menopause, necessary. Certain cancer treatments may also potentially cause early menopause as well. Chemotherapy, for example, can damage the ovaries, prompting ovarian dysfunction.

Early Menopause: Finding the Positive

It is normal to feel upset about early menopause because early menopause can increase a woman's risk of getting heart disease and osteoporosis. You can quell your fears by taking steps to reduce your risks for these conditions by eating a heart-healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. By taking preventative steps against these medical conditions, you can take control of your future and lead a healthier life.

Early menopause can also be frustrating to accept because it can change a woman's perspective on who she is. Even if a woman is not sure if she wanted to have kids, it can be difficult to have that opportunity taken from her. Menopause can also be a stressful time and the symptoms can make women feel self-conscious. It is important to seek help by talking to your friends and family or seeing a therapist.

Menopause can present symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. These can be debilitating and overwhelming to deal with, but you should not have to suffer through these symptoms. Many treatments are available for menopause symptoms. One of the most effective is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which increases the estrogen present in the body, though it is not appropriate for all women. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor in order to find a way to treat any menopause symptoms that you may have and in order to better understand early menopause.

By definition, early menopause occurs when menopause starts before the age of 40. This can have many causes and treatments. Click here to learn more.

Sources:

Better Health Channel. (2014). Symptoms of premature and early menopause. Retrieved October 27, 2015, from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Menopause_premature_early_menopause

National Institute on Aging. (2015). Menopause: Time for a Change. Retrieved October 27, 2015, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/menopause-time-change/what-can-you-do-hot-flashes-and-other-menopausal-symptoms

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We strive to be the most informative menopausal health website. Over the years, we've helped millions of women gain the knowledge they need to thrive during the menopause transition. We encourage everyone to read and learn about menopause in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle and support the women in their lives.

The content of these informational pages is for educational purposes and health care support only and does not intend to be used for diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.